[Early diagnosis of infant hearing impairment after introduction of newborn hearing screening (UNHS)]
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Published on: June 8, 2017
R Berger1, A Goeze, J Müller-Mazzotta
1Klinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, Marburg. Roswitha.Berger@uk-gm.de
Insights
Newborn hearing screening (NHS) significantly reduced the age of diagnosis for childhood hearing impairment. Early detection via NHS enables timely intervention, improving developmental outcomes for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Public health initiatives
- Neonatal care
Context:
- Germany implemented nationwide newborn hearing screening (NHS) in 2009.
- A study analyzed data from 11,155 children to assess the impact of NHS on childhood hearing impairment diagnosis.
- Pre- and post-NHS data were compared to evaluate changes in diagnostic age and management.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Federal Joint Committee's (G-BA) 2009 newborn hearing screening (NHS) policy.
- To determine the impact of NHS on the age of diagnosis for childhood hearing impairment.
- To analyze trends in hearing impairment type, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.
Summary:
- The mean age of diagnosis for permanent hearing impairment decreased significantly after NHS implementation, from 64 months in 2000 to 2.4 months in 2009.
- Sensorineural hearing loss was the predominant type of diagnosed impairment.
- Early diagnosis facilitated prompt initiation of rehabilitation and improved long-term care planning.
Impact:
- NHS has demonstrably improved early detection rates for childhood hearing impairment.
- Timely diagnosis through NHS supports early intervention, promoting positive child development.
- Children with permanent hearing impairment require ongoing specialist care for optimal management.
Background:
In 2009, the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G-BA) enacted to introduce the newborn hearing screening (NHS). The records of 11,155 children were analyzed with the aim to obtain data of the age at the time of determined diagnosis of childhood hearing impairment before and after introduction of the NHS.
Material And Methods:
The records of all children presented at our department between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009, based on suspected hearing impairment were evaluated. Additionally the data of 3,325 newborns were analyzed who had been screened between 2003 and 2010. The recorded data included the age at the time of determined diagnosis, the type and grade of hearing impairment of the different age groups, the start and type of rehabilitation, the incidence of consecutive control examinations.
Results:
For the evaluation interval a total of 1,410 children with permanent hearing impairment could be identified. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 64 months in 2000 and was reduced to 8.6 months in 2005. Between 2006 and 2009 the babies' mean age was 3.3 months at the time of diagnosis and after introduction of NHS in 2009, the mean age at the time of determined diagnosis was again reduced to 2.4 months. The part of diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss is higher than other hearing disturbances.
Conclusion:
The introduction of NHS verified to improve the early detection of childhood hearing impairment. The early diagnosis allows an early rehabilitation and makes a positive development of the children possible. However, children with permanent hearing impairment require continuous long-term care of competent specialists.
